BRACHYURI. 167 



Plate XXXVII. 



Fig. 4. The same, having cast the shell, uow come in with the defective claw 

 entire. 

 6. Specimen mutilated of four limbs, and a pincer of the left claw. 



6. The same, after exuviation, all the defective parts having come in 



entire. 



7. A specimen having been mutilated of one claw and four limbs, cast 



the shell, which is represented by this figure. Back. 



8. The same, cast shell. Breast. 



9. The specimen affording the preceding, back and breast, figs. 7, 8, 



now reproduced entire, with all the j)arts. 



A.— § 2. Cancer Pagurus— The Common Crab.— Plates XXXVIII., 

 XXXIX., XL., XLI.,— LXX. 



This is an animal so well and so imiversally known as scarcely to 

 require description. Yet very few are acquainted with its real nature, 

 or are conversant with any material points of its history. 



The former species is most famihar in its earlier stages, the present 

 only in its latest growth, that is, when in maturity. The former species 

 also is disregarded almost everywhere, it seldom serves for subsistence ; 

 but the latter is profusely consumed as food by all ranks and classes of 

 people, and in certain places only the more delicate parts preserved, 

 while the rest are thro'wn away, abundance rendering them of no value, 

 as already signified. 



The common crab is one of the largest of the Scotish Crustacea ; 

 nor is it inferior in other parts of Britain. Its dimensions seem entu'ely 

 dependent on age and the place it inhabits, attaining, according to re- 

 port, the unwieldy size of twelve inches between the limbs across the 

 back of the shell, and weighing a number of pounds But here if, in- 

 stead of twelve, specimens measure only six or seven uaches, they are 

 deemed full size, and if eight, they may be accounted large. 



The dimensions of such rapacious animals must always depend on 

 the profusion of subsistence. But in calculating these dimensions. 



